Comprehensive Lactation Care

Our practice offers comprehensive, evidence-based lactation care in a supportive and non-judgmental manner to help families achieve their infant feeding goals. 

 
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PRENATAL CONSULTATION

During your prenatal consultation, a detailed breastfeeding history and maternal breast and health assessment will be done to identify risk factors and conditions that may impact breastfeeding.  You will receive education on the effects of labor and delivery interventions, as well as intrapartum and postpartum procedures and medications. Ideally, the prenatal consultation should occur at least 4 weeks before the expected arrival of your baby. Anyone who is planning on breastfeeding benefits from a prenatal consultation and it is particularly important for those with the following risk factors. 

Risk factors: 

  • Multiples or premature births

  • Inverted or flat nipples

  • High-risk pregnancies, or advanced maternal age

  • Difficulty conceiving or needing IVF or medications to conceive

  • Prior breast surgery or procedures

  • Previous breastfeeding difficulties

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

  • Non-gestational/adoptive parents planning to induce lactation

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POSTNATAL CONSULTATION 

During your postnatal consultation, a detailed breastfeeding history, maternal breast and health assessment, and infant oral and health assessment will be done to identify areas of concern. Positioning, latch, suckling pattern and milk transfer will be evaluated. You will learn how to establish a healthy milk supply and a personalized feeding plan will be created. 

Assistance with breastfeeding tools and alternative feeding methods:

Guidance with returning to school/work:

  • Selection of optimal breast pump for your individual needs

  • Assistance with breast pump accessory fitting

  • Individualized return to work/school pumping plan

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BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE

Training in both medicine and lactation enables our physicians to approach complex breastfeeding problems, order laboratory and/or imaging studies, prescribe medication, and provide general medical care pertaining to breastfeeding for both mom and baby.

Areas of expertise: 

Special management of health conditions: 

 

 

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TONGUE TIE SERVICES

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a condition where tongue movement is restricted. The tongue is very important in breastfeeding, so the presence of a tongue-tie can pose challenges for both mom and baby. Our physicians can treat tongue tie in the office with a simple procedure. 

Signs of possible tongue-tie (Baby)

  • Shallow latch

  • Blistering of lips

  • Dribbling of milk during feed

  • Frequent, insufficient feedings

  • Poor infant weight gain or weight loss

  • Chomping, chewing at breast

  • Clicking sounds or sucking in of the cheeks while nursing

  • “Heart-shaped” tongue, with a dent or divet in the tip of the tongue, especially when crying

  • Restricted tongue movement

    • Inability to stick tongue out past gums

    • Inability to lift tongue toward top of mouth

    • Curling up of tongue edges when crying

Signs of possible tongue-tie (Mom)

  • Low milk supply

  • Pain while nursing

  • Plugged ducts, mastitis or thrush

  • Creased, flat or blanched nipples after nursing

  • Nipple damage such as bleeding, bruising, scabbing, or cracking.